This is a record of my journey as a Muslim. I used to be Catholic and belonged to a missionary organisation. After my conversion, I sat on the board of a Muslim converts' organisation and specialised in da'wah programmes, convert management, interfaith issues and apostasy cases. I am an initiate of a Sufi order. As such, the articles and writings tend to cover these areas.
All the Arabic and graphics could not have been done without the help of my wife, Zafirah.

Sunday, 30 March 2014

The Litany of Jonah (a.s.)

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is translated from
an article in Malay by Brother Sufian King.
I have made some edits to the article.

This is the du’a of
Prophet Jonah (a.s.).

…
“There is no god but Thou: Glory to Thee: I was indeed wrong!” (Surah
al-Anbiya’:87)

It is said in the Qur’an:

Had
it not been that he (repented and) glorified Allah, he would certainly have
remained inside the fish until the Day of Resurrection. (Surah
asw-Swaffat:143-144)

Salutations, praises and peace
upon the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), his family, companions and followers
who follow him closely until the end of time. The Qur’an has mentioned the story of Prophet
Jonah (a.s.) which can be used as a lesson and application of the prayer
of Prophet Jonah (a.s.) that Allah (s.w.t.) will relieve from His
slaves hardships, troubles and calamities in times of urgent need, provided
that the individual is a believer. Let
us follow this story in hopes of attaining the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.)
until the Day of Judgement.

The real name of Prophet Jonah (a.s.)
is Yunus ibn Mata. He is also known as Dzu
an-Nun. He is a noble prophet Sent by
Allah (s.w.t.) to his people, the Assyrians. He counselled and guided them to the straight
path of the truth, reminded them of the terrible realities of doomsday, forewarned
them of the terrifying Hellfire and gave hope in reminding them of Paradise. He lead his people virtuously and brought them
to worship Allah (s.w.t.). Jonah
(a.s.) was always advising and motivating his followers but not even a
soul had a hint of faith in their hearts. Then came a day when Jonah (a.s.) made the
decision to leave his followers. His
heart was filled with anger because his people had no faith in God.

And
remember Dzu an-Nun, when he departed in wrath: he imagined that We had no
power over him! But he cried through the
depths of darkness "There is no god but Thou: Glory to Thee: I was indeed
wrong!" (Surah al-Anbiya’:87)

Not a soul knew of the intense
emotions running through Jonah (a.s.) except for Allah (s.w.t.), or
with Jonah’s (a.s.) displeasure to his people for not putting their
faith in Allah (s.w.t.). And so, he
left his people. Jonah (a.s.)
boarded a vessel to take him elsewhere without being mindful of Allah (s.w.t.). Jonah (a.s.) had given up on them
without considering that it is Allah (s.w.t.) Alone Who Moves the hearts
and it was unbecoming of a prophet of God to be moved by his passions, even if
righteous anger, without Divine Permission.
The prophets were sent solely for da’wah, callers in the path of
Allah (s.w.t.). Guidance, hidayah,
is Allah’s (s.w.t) Right on how, who and when He wants to Give. Da’wah is to be done with submission
and humility, for success is only His Determination.

The vessel was caught in a
storm. The people on board, as was the
superstition of the time, drew lots to decide who to throw overboard to
‘appease’ the sea. Initially, they
declined to include Jonah (a.s.) since he was viewed as a holy man but
Jonah (a.s.) insisted. Jonah’s
name came up in the first draw so they decided to repeat the process, such was
their affection and esteem for him. They
drew lots three times and Jonah’s (a.s.) name came up each time.

Jonah (a.s.) threw
himself overboard and was swallowed by a gigantic fish. This fish settled on the seabed. Jonah (a.s.) experienced three levels
of darkness: the darkness in the belly of the fish, the darkness in the depths
of the sea, and the darkness of the moonless night. In this state of seclusion, Jonah’s (a.s.)
heart was moved to repeat this litany:

…
“There is no god but Thou: Glory to Thee: I was indeed wrong!” (Surah
al-Anbiya’:87)

Jonah (a.s.) fasted
continuously, as penance, for forty days.
He repeated this supplication over and over. The fishes and the other animals in the
surrounding ocean heard his litany and they joined in, congregating around the
great fish. The plants joined in and even
the surrounding rocks and water echoed with the dzikr. Every creature supplicated in their own language. Even the great fish which had swallowed Jonah
(a.s.) recited along with him.
After forty days, Jonah (a.s.) was regurgitated from the belly of
the creature onto a beach. Allah (s.w.t.)
had Accepted his repentance.

On the shore, Jonah (a.s.)
was seared by the heat of the sun. That
short time in the creature had stripped off the topmost layer his skin and
removed his ability to stand the sun. Allah
(s.w.t.) in His Mercy had a type of pumpkin plant grow nearby with
leaves wide enough to shade Jonah (a.s.) from the light of the sun. Allah (s.w.t.) Restored his health. Allah (s.w.t.) Said that were it not
for the tasbih he had recited, Jonah (a.s.) would have remained
in the belly of the fish until the end of his time.

So
also was Jonah among those Sent (by us). When he ran away (like slave from captivity)
to the ship (fully) laden. He (agreed
to) cast lots, and he was condemned: Then the big Fish did swallow him, and he
had done acts worthy of blame. Had it
not been that he (repented and) glorified Allah, he would certainly have
remained inside the fish until the Day of Resurrection. But We Cast him forth, on the naked shore in a
state of sickness. And We Caused to
grow, over him a spreading plant of the gourd kind. And We Sent him (on a mission) to a hundred
thousand (men) or more. And they
believed; so We Permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while. (Surah asw-Swaffat:139-148)

Again, Allah (s.w.t.) also Says,
as mentioned above:

And
remember Dzu an-Nun, when he departed in wrath: he imagined that We had no
Power over him! But he cried through the
depths of darkness, "There is no god but Thou: Glory to Thee: I was indeed
wrong!" So We Listened to him: and
Delivered him from distress: and thus do We Deliver those who have faith.
(Surah al-Anbiya’:87-88)

This short story is one to be
reflected many times upon; mainly the benefits and magnitude of such a blessed
supplication, what the different layers of darkness represent in our lives and
inner selves, what level of concentration and suppressed depression it takes to
reach a level of sincerity fit for a prophet. This teaches us to engage in da’wah with
wisdom. It is not for us to dictate
anything. We are mere facilitators and
pillars for support. Guidance is Allah’s
(s.w.t.) Right on what, how, who and when He wants to Give.

The benefits of the litany of
Jonah (a.s.) are many as supported by ahadits. One of them being, “Anyone with intended
wishes to attain something, with ablution followed by prostration to Allah (s.w.t.)
and reciting the supplication of Jonah forty times, will have his prayers and
deep intentions Answered.”

The Prophet (s.a.w.) also
said, “I know of a supplication, once recited by those who are in distress and
urgent need will get relief from his calamity. That supplication is the supplication of Prophet
Jonah.”